JoAnne Martin

F, b. 20 March 1946, d. 13 November 2008
     JoAnne Martin was born on 20 March 1946 at Biloxi, MS. She was the daughter of John H Martin and Jean Schultz. JoAnne Martin died on 13 November 2008 at Elgin, IL, at age 62.

Published in the Elgin, Ill. Courier News 11/15/2008

Martin, Joanne J.

Joanne J. Martin, age 62, of Elgin died Thursday, November 13, 2008 at Sherman Hospital after a brief battle with cancer.

Joanne was born in Biloxi, MS on March 20, 1946. She was the only child of John H. andJean (nee Schultz) Martin. Joanne was raised in Dundee and graduated from St. Edward High School in Elgin, IL.

She earned her Bachelors Degree in Education from Western Illinois University in 1968, and was awarded her Masters Degree in Outdoor Education from Northern Illinois University in 1987.

Joanne taught first, second and third grades at Lowrie Elementary school in Elgin for 33 years, retiring in June 2001. She inspired hundreds of children over her teaching career, continued to see former students in the community, and maintained close friendships with several of these students.

Her sunny disposition and generous spirit with everyone she met will be deeply missed.

Joanne is survived by her longtime companion and special friend, George A. Stephens of Elgin; her honorary sisters, Felicite 'Flicka' ( John ) Regan of Dundee and Heidi (Bruce Davis) Hill of York, PA; her honorary brother, Platt (Barbara) Hill of St. Charles, IL; eight honorary nieces and nephews; and a paternal cousin, Marcia Martin (Rob) Wright of Florida; and her two sons; as well as a multitude of close and faithful long time friends and colleagues.

Joanne was preceded in death by her parents.

Friends will meet for a funeral mass on Wednesday, November 19, 2008 at 10:00 A.M. in the St. Catherine of Siena Church, West Dundee. The Rev. Thomas J. Doyle, Jr, Parochial Vicar will officiate.

Burial will follow in the Dundee Township East Cemetery in East Dundee. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, from 4-8 p.m., in the Miller Funeral Home, West Dundee and on Wednesday morning at the church from 9:00 A.M. until time of Mass.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Joanne J. Martin Scholarship for Early Childhood Education C/O Elgin.